Moment driver grabs can of BEER from window of stag do minibus after pulling up alongside it while travelling 70mph on M6
- Paul Holmes, 24, took a can from a stag do minibus while driving at 70mph
- He struggled to drive in a straight line as the cars went past J16 and 17 on the M6
- The Lancashire civil engineer lost his licence after admitting dangerous driving
- A court heard that the stunt could have ‘cost lives’ and been ‘catastrophic’
This is the shocking moment a driver reaches out to take a can of beer from a stag do minibus after pulling up alongside it while travelling at 70mph on the M6.
Paul Holmes, 24, struggled to drive in a straight line as he grabbed the can from one of the passengers in the white minibus on the busy motorway between Junctions 16 and 17.
The civil engineer, from Clitheroe in Lancashire, has lost his licence after admitting dangerous driving.
He will have to pass an extended test to drive again as the chairman of the bench said his reckless stunt could have been ‘catastrophic’ and could have ‘cost lives’.
This is the shocking moment a driver reaches out to take a can of beer from a stag do minibus while travelling at 70mph on the M6
Civil engineer Paul Holmes, 24, from Clitheroe in Lancashire has been disqualified from driving for 15 months
Dashcam footage dating from February 4 shows Holmes driving his red car along the busy motorway, changing lanes to follow closely behind the minibus.
He then pulls alongside the van, travelling at the same speed despite being in the lane to the left.
His car serves over the white line – partly crossing into the outside lane – and is unsteady as the beer can is passed between the two vehicles.
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that the motorway was busy at the time, and that the stunt could have had ‘catastrophic’ consequences. Holmes’s solicitor said he had been caught up in a ‘very exciting day’.
Debbie Leadbeater, defending Holmes, said: ‘He had been to see his children in Birmingham.
Dashcam footage dating from February 4 shows Holmes driving his red car along the busy motorway, changing lanes to follow closely behind the minibus
He then pulls alongside the van, travelling at the same speed despite being in the lane to the left
‘He picked a friend up and they were going to go out in the evening. They were passing this group of people who started to gesticulate and wave to them.
‘There was banter with them, they were in high spirits. Momentarily he got caught up in the fervour of the stag party and bizarrely he agreed to take this can and give it to his friend.
‘Throughout this time he had full control of the vehicle and did not look away from the road. He just put his hand out. It was momentary stupidity.’
Mark Olszewski, chairperson of the bench, told Holmes: ‘What we saw on the footage has given us a great deal of concern.
‘The potential outcome of that behaviour could have been catastrophic. It could have cost lives.’
Holmes must also pay £280 in court costs and charges and has been handed a 12-month community order with 140 hours unpaid work.
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